Copyright: - US Fish and Wildlife Service
Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

Description
- Cape Romain NWR harbors the largest wintering populations of American oystercatchers and marbled godwits in the U.S., and is recognized as an International Site for shorebirds. It has the largest loggerhead sea turtle rookery in the U.S. outside Florida, averaging 1,000 nests per year. The Refuge also has one of the largest Eastern brown pelican and least tern rookeries in the State.

Bulls Island is an island propagation site for the endangered red wolf. The bulk of the refuge is a designated wilderness area, including a mandatory Class I Air Quality Area. The refuge is also within the Carolinian Biosphere Reserve, and contains several Public Use and Research Natural Areas.

Important habitats are provided for many species of migratory birds and both Federally and State endangered or threatened species, including the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, red wolf, wood stork, American alligator, osprey, glossy ibis, American kestrel, loggerhead sea turtles, and least tern.

The Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center is a joint facility with the Francis Marion NF that is open to the public and features natural history displays, walking trails, red wolf viewing area and a raptor exhibition area.

Recreation - Public use opportunities include visiting the Visitor and Environmental Education Center and the red wolf viewing area, hiking the trails, wildlife observation, shelling and beach combing, fishing, hunting, photography, boating, and taking the concession boat to the refuge islands.

Climate - South Carolina generally has a temperate climate, with cool winters and warm, humid summers. Thunderstorms are possible throughout the year but most common in the spring and summer. Tropical storms occasionally strike the coast during the hurricane season.

Location -
Cape Romain is located up the coast from Charleston. The refuge, including Bulls Island, is accessible by boat only. Access can be by personal boat or through Coastal Expeditions at 843/881-4582, which provides a ferry service for the refuge.

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Trip Reports:
Add your own trip Report!Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others.
This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip reportFiled By: The Giles Family
(Fultondale, AL)
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: Stopped by the Vistors Center mainly to see the red wolves. Got there early and went on the walkways which were very nice. Saw a few feathered friends but the part we will remember is seeing one VERY large alligator in the pond sunning on a sandy spot and a small gator on the banks sunning at another pond. Beautiful setting and worth the time to stop by.Filed By: Melissa
(Greenville, SC)
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 pplRecommend to a Friend: HighlyReport: Moore's Landing has a 1/4 mile pier from which you can view surrounding marsh and wildlife areas. Our sightings included Ibis, Great Blue Herons, Kestrels. The nearby Sewee Visitors Center just off 17 North approximately 22 miles from Charleston has free maps of area wildlife refuges and a short hike past an enclosed endangered Red Wolf area and woodlands where we saw a pileated woodpecker. Excellent for beginning birders but be sure to pack the bird ID guides for reference due to the variety of wildlife to be seen.

Additional Information:Lowcountry Region - The Lowcountry Region of South Carolina includes the Atlantic coast and the coastal plain. It covers the area south and east from Sumter.South Carolina National Wildlife Refuges - The National Wildlife Refuges in South Carolina are located in the eastern half of the state, mostly along or near the coast.